Women's Basketball Knocks Off Roxbury, 74-68

BROCKTON, Mass. ---- In an aggressive, high-energy game that featured 57 total fouls and seven players fouling out, the Massasoit women's basketball team was able to survive and upend Roxbury CC, 74-68, on Thursday evening at the Asiaf Fieldhouse. 

The victory for the Warriors over the Tigers snaps an 84 consecutive regular season league game win streak for Roxbury, dating back to the 2008 season.

"It was a great team win, but it's only one win. We are really starting to play like a team and beginning to gel together and play well. I just hope we continue to play this way next semester," head coach Mark Brathwaite said.

Massasoit (5-3, 4-2 Region XXI), which has now won five straight games, built up a 40-24 halftime lead over the visiting Tigers. Of the Warriors' 40 first half points, 17 came from the foul line.

In the second half, Roxbury clawed its way back into the game, pulling within single digits and eventually tying the score. However a big 3-pointer by Marina Palladino (Carver/Carver HS) and clutch free throw shooting by Karissa Pagan (Brockton/Brockton HS) proved to be the difference.

Overall, Massasoit went 30 of 45 at the free throw line, compared to 14 of 24 by the Tigers.

The Warriors received a big night from Fredi Lawson (Boston/J.E. Burke HS) who finished with a game-high 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting. The forward also grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double and shot an impressive 8-for-11 from the charity stripe.

Palladino also played well at guard for Massasoit, scoring 17 points and making a trio of 3-pointers in the win. Tianna Johson (Brockton/New Mission HS) scored all nine of her points from the foul line and added five assists and five steals, while Tiana McQueen (Mattapan/Boston English HS) came off the bench to contribute eight points and 10 rebounds.

Roxbury (5-7, 4-1 Region XXI) was led by Amanda Hoover and Zachiya Mason, who each scored 17 points.

The game was called with 10.6 seconds remaining in the game by the officials as Roxbury only had one player remaining in the game. The other six active players on the roster had fouled out.

Massasoit's game on Saturday vs. Quinsigamond CC has been postponed to Saturday, February 15, due to inclement weather forecasted in the North East region.